Police Declare Kogi Forests Unsafe for Criminals, Launch Bush-Combing Operations

The Kogi State Police Command has deployed a special squad to comb forests across the state in a renewed effort to flush out criminals, bandits and kidnappers operating from forest hideouts.
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, disclosed this while responding to journalists’ enquiries over the rising cases of kidnapping across the state, particularly in Kogi East.
According to the police commissioner, coordinated rescue and bush-combing operations are currently ongoing following the recent abduction incident along the Idah–Dekina axis.
“The Kogi State Police Command wishes to reiterate that coordinated rescue and bush-combing operations are actively ongoing in connection with the recent abduction incident along the Idah–Dekina axis,” he said.
CP Kankarofi said the joint security operation commenced in the early hours of Thursday, August 27, 2026, and is being coordinated by ACP M. D. Adamu, Commanding Officer of the 77 PMF Squadron, Okene.
He said the operation involves personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the military, Department of State Services (DSS), and local hunters.
The security teams, he said, are conducting intensive bush-combing and rescue operations across identified forest corridors around Abejuko-Egume, Ikpadala–Egume and Alade–Egume in Dekina Local Government Area.
The commissioner added that surveillance had also been strengthened along major highways within the affected areas.
“The operational teams are presently on the field, and the Command is allowing them the necessary operational space to remain focused on the ongoing mission,” he said.
He explained that updates on the operation might be gradual due to the ongoing nature of the mission but urged members of the public not to interpret the delay as inactivity.
“This should not be misconstrued as inactivity, as concerted efforts are actively being sustained to achieve a breakthrough and secure the safe recovery of the victims,” he added.
CP Kankarofi assured residents that the joint operation would continue until the objectives of the mission were achieved, adding that the command would provide verified updates as developments emerge.